NYC’s first medical marijuana dispensary opens, but sees few patients

The city's first medical marijuana dispensary opening was a total buzzkill Thursday.

The city's first medical marijuana dispensary opening was a total buzzkill Thursday.

Despite a ballyhooed grand opening, the site at 212 E. 14th St. near Third Ave. did not appear to have any patients scheduled for its first day in service and saw just a trickle of walk-in patients.

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The light traffic may be due to potential patients having to jump through multiple medical hoops before getting the green light to buy the grass.

They must register with the state Health Department, obtain a registration card and be certified by a state-approved physician before buying the pot.

All told, there are 150 doctors registered to prescribe marijuana, state records show. A mere 51 patients have been certified for the reefer.

That didn't stop a group of potential patients.

Columbia Care CEO Nicholas Vita, second from right, was joined by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewe, third from right, and other dignitaries as he cut the ribbon on the city’s first medical marijuana dispensary. (Anthony DelMundo/New York Daily News)

The first visitors included a man suffering from complications tied to diabetes, a woman with foot problems, and a homeless man with fibromyalgia and a degenerative spine condition.

"It's miserable, daily miserable," Stephen Fitzstephen, 58, said of his spine condition. "I saw this in one of the free papers, so I came by."

More traditional medications have not helped, he said.

"This (medical marijuana) will work," he predicted, noting staff at a standard medical clinic referred him to the site.

Potential patient Stephen Fitzstephens, 58, left empty handed because he is not registered for the state’s medical marijuana program. (Anthony DelMundo/New York Daily News)

Another possible client stopped by to get information for his wife, who suffers from shooting pains in her foot.

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"She's been taking pain meds," said the 65-year-old man who declined to give his name. "She's been through everything. She can't find any help, neurologist, Chinese acupuncturist, two back surgeries."

The facility, overseen by licensed pharmacists, is only selling weed in liquid form. No smokable or edible reefer is permitted. The site also does not take any medical insurance for the prescriptions that go for between $100 and $300.

Not everyone was seeking reefer. Caitlin Durra, 23, of Bushwick, Brooklyn, came by looking for a job.

"I would just love to be involved with medical benefits, if there is some sort of job I could pass out flyers," she said. "I just have knowledge of marijuana. I've been researching it for a long time. It's history in the making. I model, but I love weed."